Numbers 35

God Commands Land for the Levites

1 The Lord spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan River, across from Jericho.

2 “Tell the Israelites: When you all move into the land of Canaan, set aside towns for the Levites to live in. Give them land around these towns too.”

3 “The towns will be for them to live in, and the surrounding pastureland will be for their animals, crops, and needs.”

4 “The pastureland around the towns should stretch 1,500 feet from the town walls.”

5 “On the outside, measure 3,000 feet in every direction, north, south, east, and west. This will be their land for pasture.”

Six Cities of Refuge for Those Who Accidentally Kill Someone

6 “Out of all the towns you give the Levites, six of them must be Cities of Refuge, places where someone who kills another person by accident can run to for safety. In addition, give them 42 more towns.”

7 “The total number of towns given to the Levites will be 48, including pastureland.”

8 “When giving land, the bigger tribes must give more towns and the smaller tribes must give less, each tribe must give a portion of their land to the Levites.”

Rules for Cities of Refuge

9 Then the Lord spoke to Moses.

10 “Tell the Israelites: When you all cross the Jordan into Canaan?”

11 “Pick six cities to be Cities of Refuge, where someone who accidentally kills a person can run to for safety.”

12 “These cities will protect them from revenge until they stand trial before the people.”

13 “There must be six Cities of Refuge total.”

14 “Three must be east of the Jordan, and three must be in Canaan.”

15 “These cities are for any Israelite or foreigner living among you who accidentally kills someone.”

The Difference Between Murder & Manslaughter

16 “If someone hits another person with an iron tool and they die, that is murder, the killer must be executed.”

17 “If they strike someone with a stone in their hand and the person dies, that is murder, they must be executed.”

18 “If they use a wooden weapon and the person dies, that is murder, they must be executed.”

19 “The victim’s closest relative, the avenger of blood, has the right to kill the murderer when they catch them.”

20 “If someone hates another person and intentionally attacks and kills them, that is murder.”

21 “If they ambush someone and kill them out of hatred, that is murder, and they must be executed.”

22 “But if someone kills another person by accident, with no hatred or intent,”

23 “For example, if a person drops a stone by mistake and it kills someone, but they were not enemies, then,”

24 “The community must decide the case and judge between the killer and the avenger of blood.”

25 “If it was an accidental killing, the killer must stay in the City of Refuge until the high priest dies.”

26 “But if the killer leaves the City of Refuge before the high priest dies,”

27 “And the avenger of blood finds them outside the city and kills them, the avenger will not be guilty.”

28 “The killer must stay in the City of Refuge until the high priest dies, only then can they return home.”

No Ransom for Murderers

29 “These rules are permanent for all your future generations.”

30 “If someone is convicted of murder, they must be executed. There must be at least two or more witnesses, one witness is not enough.”

31 “You must never accept money to let a murderer live. The penalty for murder is always death.”

32 “Do not accept a ransom for someone who ran to a City of Refuge, they must stay there until the high priest dies.”

Keep the Land Pure

33 “Do not let your land become polluted by bloodshed! The only way to cleanse the land from murder is by executing the killer.”

34 “Do not defile the land you live in, because I, the Lord, dwell among you.”